Do you think it’s okay to say you have anxiety or depression without being diagnosed?

Question

Answer

Yes. I knew for a long ass time I had depression before I finally got to see a psychiatrist and got diagnosed.

Answer

You can be depressed and not have clinical depression, you can be anxious and not have a general anxiety disorder. So no I don't think it's okay until you've been professionally diagnosed.

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I think you can say you are feeling upset and down or specicaly stressed but it's important to bear in mind that these are a form of illness and just as you wouldn't self diagnose diabetes or something you probably shouldn't do the same for mental health, it's best to see a professional

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Depression is relatively easy to self diagnose, anxiety is harder. I remember a poll on here said “do you have social anxiety” and it was like 80% yes 🙃 It’s a complex issue but if you really do think you have it try to speak to a counselor or psychologist to be diagnosed and find ways to help

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I have been diagnosed with both but before I usually said I think I may have it but didn’t want to talk like I was self diagnosing

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Yes.  My sister recognized my depression before I got diagnosed. Not everyone has the privilege of having access to mental health care. I was fortunate that my parents were able and willing to pay for a psychiatrist out of pocket for me at the time. Therapists and psychiatrists are almost NEVER covered by insurance in the US. Even when they are supposed to be, insurance will oftentimes make it virtually impossible to get reimbursed for mental health care. So by gatekeeping terms like anxiety and depression we are essentially just making it so that only the wealthy can get diagnosed and use those terms.

Do you think it’s okay to say you have anxiety or depression without being diagnosed?

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